Mammography • Needle Localization

We have many tools available to us which we use daily in an attempt to differentiate benign for cancerous breast disease. Even with these tools, many abnormalities of the breast still require surgery in order to make the diagnosis.

he surgical procedure is called an Excisional Biopsy. Surgeons perform excisional biopsies, however part of the procedure requires localization of the breast abnormality. The localization is performed by the radiologist. The procedure begins with your admission to the hospital (usually same day surgery) which is arranged by your surgeon. You will be transported to the mammography suite in the Radiology Department prior to the surgery.

Once in the Radiology Department, the technologist will greet you, explain the procedure, and take a preliminary mammogram. The radiologist will then enter the room and talk to you about your case and the procedure. The breast will be cleansed and then local anaesthetic given. Subsequently, a needle will be placed into the breast and then a mammogram taken to localize the lesion and the tip of the needle. Many times the needle needs to be repositioned, but you should not feel this. Once the needle tip is successfully placed within the abnormality in question, a flimsy wire is passed through the needle and the needle removed. The wire tip is in the abnormality of question and is used to guide the surgeon to the abnormality. The wire is secured with a bandage and you are then transferred to surgery for the excisional biopsy. As mentioned, your surgeon performs the biopsy. Your surgeon takes care of your post-operative care and discharge. Likewise, your surgeon will confer the results of your biopsy to you.

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